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ODDS WITH THE ENEMY 

' ^'^ gin g^mat^wtj Jmma. 



IN FIVE A CTS, 



BY 



/ 

T. S. DENISON 



PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, DE KALB, ILLINOIS. 



PRICE, 20 CENTS. 



CHICAGO: j 

Steam Press of Cushing, Thomas & Co., 150 and 152 Clark Street, j 

1S76. I 

I 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY 



lilt gimatei«i Jrama. 



IN FIVE A CTS. 



T. SV DENISON 



PUBLISHED BY THK AUTHOR, DE KALB, H.LINOIS. 



CHICAGO : 

Stk.am Fkes3 of Gushing, Thomas it Co., 150 and 152 Clauk Strhkt, 
1S76. 




Copyright 1S76, by T. S. Dknjson. 



CHARACTERS. 



Mrs. Linton, a widow in good circumstances 

Oscar Linton, her son, . . . - 

Alice Linton, her daughter, 

Harry List, - - - . - 

Lanty Nixon, grocer's clerk. 

Squire Simon Carter, a man of wealth, 

-- ^ ( his nephew, adopted son 

Nathan Carter, j J^^^l Linton, 

Betsey Bluff, Mrs. L's servant, - 
J. McClure Hopkinson, dry goods clerk, - 
Tabbs, colored servant of the Lintons, 
Phcebe Day, Squire's servant, 



COSTUMES. 



Any ordinary clothing suited to the station of the wearer. 
Soldiers in uniform. A soldier's coat will answer if complete 
uniform cannot be had. 



EXPLANATIONS. 



R, means right for the actor as he faces the audience; L, left; 
C, center. 

Three years intervene between acts III and IV; about one 
month between IV and V. 



ODDS VV^ITH THE ENEMY. 



ACT I. 

Scene Mrs. Linton'*s Parlor. Room elegantly furnished, giv- 
ing evidences of -wealth and refinement. Pictures on the -walls. 
Evening. 

Nathan. I can hardly believe it! What presumption in her 
to treat in this way, one brought up under the same roof, her 
equal in every respect, and a little better than she is just at pre- 
sent. But her aristocratic notions which she airs so conspicuous- 
ly, will soon be humbled, or I'm no judge. Well there is no use 
Iretting and fuming, Nathe Carter. Bide your time and it will 
all come out right. Humph! I can't help laughing at that girl's 
high-minded notions. Does'ent she know that her prospects are 
materially changed since her father's death. She forgets that her 
father was a spendthrift. A large part of the property which she 
proudly imagines to be hers, will soon be the property of Simon 
Carter. Then may be his nephew will not be such a bad catch 
after all. She is not aware of that yet. How could she know it.? 
I forgot that only two persons know all about that trifling circu- 
mstance yet. But she soon will know it, and may be that will 
cause her to change her opinion on certain subjects. Confound it! 
I would like to choke that young List when he comes hanging 
around Alice with his spoony talk. Hist! I hear them coming 
now. I can't face them after my discomfiture. I'd like to know 
how, they do get along together. I'll employ a little stratagem 
to find out. {Creeps behind lounge, R.) 

Enter Harry and Alice L. 

Alice. Take a seat Harry. Take this arm-chair. 

Harry. This will do as well. That is yours. 

Alice. You need not refuse it Harry. You must take it. You 
know you are partial to that chair. 

Harry. Yes, I am partial to that chair because it is yours. 
{Takes arm-chair R. of table, Alice L.) 

Nathan. {Aside.) I wonder if he will like her as well when 
she does'ent own any fine chairs? 



4 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

Alice. Harry, none of your nonsense. How careless I am! 
I have not taken mother' the evening paper yet. Excuse me 
Harry till I take it to her. She will be anxious to hear the news. 

Harry. Certainly. {Exit Alice R.) There it is! Always 
the same. Whenever 1 hint my love for her, she changes the 
subject so adroitly I have not courage to renew it. Yet I have the 
best of reasons for believing that she cares more for me than her 
careless manner would indic'ate. But with what charming indif- 
erence she meets every reference to the one subject nearest my 
heart. To be refused by her would be a sort of pleasure, could 
one but ask again. 

Nathan. (As\de ) Precious little pleasure I found in it. 

Harry. Ask again! How bold 1 am of a sudden, when I 
have not courage to ask the lirst time. I dare not contemplate 
the possibility of a refusal. Perhaps after all she cares nothing 
for me, as her thoughtless raillery would seem to indicate. Alas! 
that is what T fear. Would that I could read her thoughts toward 
me. Humph! may be she does'ent think of me at all. Verily 
the hardest thing in this world is to read the intent in the word 
or act. 

Enter Alice R. 

Alice. Pve kept you waiting longer than I intended, Harry. 
But then you like that chair and this room so well, that I pre- 
sume you have not missed me much. 

Harry. Indeed I have. \o\x do not know how much I al- 
ways miss you, Alice, and how lonely I feel when 

Alice. VVhen you are alone. Ha, ha, what an idea that you 
should feel lonely when alone. 

Harry. Alice, if you would only listen to me 

Alice. Now Mr. Philosopher, if you intend delivering a lecture, 
please remember that the occasion is somewhat inappropriate, and 
the audience not sulHcient to develop any latent powers of 
speech making which you may possess. {A pause.) What ails 
you to night anyhow, Harry.? You are not usually so particular 
about the subject of conversation. Harry, you are actually cross. 

Harry. Sometimes one does not wish to talk on every sub- 
ject. 

Alice. Quite true, Harry. Let's lalk about the war; we must all 
be interested in that whether we will or not. Did you know 
nearlv all the boys in the village have enlisted under Capf. 
Wilson.-* 

Harry. Yes ; and I wish I could go too. 

Alice. Oh don't think of it Harry. I can't bear the idea of your 
going to the war. 

Harry. Why } 

Alice. Oh there would be no one to bring us the latest news 
and we should be so lonesome, mother and I. There would be 
no one to help us while away our leisure hours which grow more 
tedious every day. I was just wishing before you came that you 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 6 

would drop in and spend the evening. 

Harry Here I am and you have your wish. 

Alice. You have not been here for a whole week. Is that the 
way for one old playmate to treat another.? Harry, I shall have 
to ask you to explain. 

Harry. ' You just said you wished to talk about the 
war. 

Alice. Not when you talk of enlisting. It's horrid. What ever 
made you think of going? 

Harry. I have several reasons. 

Alice. What are they pray.'' 

Harry, In the first place I think it is my duty to defend my 
country, and then father does not wish me to see you. For his 
sake it were better my visits here should cease. 

Alice. Harry you are always welcome here; mother likes to 
see you often. Then you know we have the claims of old ac- 
quaintance upon you. {Knocking) Who can that be.'* {Goes 
to door R.) Betsey, come in. 

Harry. (Aside.) 1 wonder if old acquaintanceship is my only 
claim here. 

Betsey. Good evening Mr. List. 

Harry. Good evening Betsey. 

Alice. Take a seat Betsey. 

Betsey. No thank you. I shall not intrude. 

Harry. No intrusion at all. 

Alice. Nonsense Betsey! I should think you would know 
better than to talk about intrusion, sit down. Harry likes to make 
himself at home. You know well enough he comes to see the 
whole household. Is'ent that so Harry.? 

Harry. Yes. 

Tabbs. {Enters ^^. aside) Am dat a factotum.? All de house 
holds. Dat eludes me for a fac. 

Harry. Sit down Betsey and we will have a social chat. {All 
take seatSy Betsey L.) 

Tabbs. {Aside.) Spect dat docs'entcludedis individual. (Aloud.) 
Miss Alice. 

Alice. Why when did you come in, Tabbs .^ 

Tabbs. Jes about three-quarters of a moment ago to the bes of 
my reelection. Massa Nixon's waitin aide dooh. (Betsey jump s 
up.) 

Alice. Lanty Nixon.? Show him in at once. Don't run away 
Betsey. 

Betsey. I shan't run away, but I'd like to know what he wants 
here this time of night. 

Nathan. (Aside.) Hang it who else is coming! I'm con- 
foundedly cramped. 

Alice. Oh he has come to deliver groceries perhaps. 

Betsey. Groceries indeed ! He has been here twice already to- 
day with groceries. 

Nathan. (Aside.) Devil take it! He'll stay all night. 



6 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

Lanty enters L. ushered in by Tabbs. 

Lanty. Good evening to you all. 

Alice. \ 

Betsey. J- Good evening, Lantj- 

Harry. ) 

Alice. Take a seat Lanty. We are so glad you have come. 
Is there any news.'' 

Lanty. Yes a telegram — 

Tabbs. Miss Alice may I listen to the news.'' 

Alide. Yes, stay and hear it, Tabbs. (All seated but Tabbs.) 

Lanty. A telegram has just come stating that there has been 
another great battle and that the union army is routed with fear- 
ful slaughter. 

Alice. What dreadful news! and yet in our impatience we long 
to hear of battles and are disappointed if they do not occur almost 
daily. Who would have thought a few short years ago, that 
brothers would so soon deluge our country in blood. And then 
the bitter end, for when that time comes, the victor will only 
have bruised his weaker brother. 

Betsey. Yes, but an erring brother. God's justice is sure and 
the verdict of Heaven will be on the side of the right and against 
wrong and slavery. 

Harry. Nobly spoken Betsey. — 

"Truth crushed to earth will rise sigain ; 

The eternal years of God's are hers ; 
But error wounded writhes in pain, 
And dies among her worshippers." 

Tabbs. Yes, massa Harry ; Miss Betsey inlightened onto our 
minds in a very plain foridway; and poetry am a mighty good 
thing to pour goose ile onto de troubled waters of true love with. 
It's mighty nice to talk about de wardick of Heaven too. But I'd 
jes like to know when dat wardick is to be given in. Sposen de 
jury cant agree and de court journs over two or three times, 
what will become of all dese lighten combatifants den.? Gineral 
Jackson ! Dey 'ell all be done killed off before dey eber hear of de 
wardick. 

Alice, Have faith Tabbs. The Lord will fight the battles of the 
just. 

Harry. Faith has its sphere, but even the Lord can not fight 
battles without instruments to carry out his purposes. I feel to 
night that every one who is able to bear arms should take part 
and that I should be in the field fighting for my country. 

Alice. You Harry! Why how you talk! You know we can 
not spare you, and there are older hands enough. You are but 
a boy. 

Harry. Yes, I am a boy, but even boys can help defend their 
country. 

Tabbs. Massa Harry am right. His kind of faith would re- 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 7 

move the mountains of Sodom and cast them into the sea ot 
Sa harry. 

Betsey. Mountains of Sodom ! Sea of Sahara! Tabbs, Sodom 
was a city of the plain, and Sahara is a great desert. 

Tabbs. Sodom a city of de plain ! If dat am a case, why did 
de Scripter ask Jacob to flee into de mountains, if dere were no 
mountains to fliee into? To save argufyin, Fse jes willin to admit 
dat Saharry am a desert. I meant de sea of Mediterraneum, and 
for that matter I reckon it's about as easy to throw a mountain 
into one sea as another. 

Lanty. Stick to it Tabbs. You have the best of that argu- 
ment. 

Tabbs. Thankee, Massa Nixon. You don't catch dis individ- 
ual nappin whar de Scripter am consarned. 

Lanty. Tabbs, are you versed in profane history > 

Tabbs. Do you spose dis darkey waited on Massa two years 
for nothing, while he was sittin on de flooh of de legislater.? 
Massa Nixon, I'm proud to say dat my limited knowledge of pro- 
fane history, am mostly 'quired by observation durin my pub- 
lic cai'eer. 

Alice. How very wise you must be Tabbs, if you have profited 
by all the experience of your eventful life, public and private. 

Tabbs. Reckon Massa"^Linton would have been wealthier and 
wiser if he had listened to the advice of a sartin cullud person. 

Alice. What do you mean Tabbs.? 

Tabbs. Well, if Massa had'ent had no dealins with Simon Car- 
ter, it would have been better for him. Jes like dese genrous, 
whole-souled chaps. Dey's so awful maganimous deirselves, 
dat dey never think anybody else is mean till it is too late. 
Mebbe it aint too late yet to give a little advice though. 

Alice. Have you anything of importance to disclose, Tabbs, 
that you are exciting our curiosity to such an extent! Unravel 
the mystery. 

Tabbs. Squire Carter might'ent want dis individual to unrav- 
el his yarn. But I reckon if Massa Linton had always put away 
his papers into a safe place, Missa Linton would have had some 
dockiments dat would help dis ravlin business pretty smart. 

Alice. Do you refer to father's private papers which were 
lost? 

Tabbs. Yes Miss Alice. And I also infer to some papers 
which de late deceased Mr. Linton dicVent write. 

Harry. Tabbs, drop your big words and tell us plainly what 
you do mean, 

Tabbs. Massa Harry, Fse been droppin big words round like 
ripe chestnuts arter a frost. Aint dat a fac ? To be plain about it, I 
mean dat Massa Linton never owed Squire Carter in his life, and 
dat Massa never gave him those big notes. 
* Lanty. I've guessed as much for some time. 

Alice. Tabbs, are you aware of the serious nature of the 
charges you make against my guardian, Simon Carter? 



8 ODDS WITH THB ENEMY. 

Tahhs. Did'ent spect to charge any thing. Shant charge a 
cent, Miss Alice, for dese facs. It am all true though. Did'ent 
I hear Massa tell Massa Williams, that week before he died, that 
he did'ent owe nobody nothing ceptin a few little debts. 

Alice. Pooh ! Tabbs, you must not let an accidental remark 
lead you to such serious conclusions. Perhaps father did not 
know at that time the exact condition of those investments he 
and Mr. Carter made together. 

Tabbs. Jes so Miss Alice. In de opinion of dis darkey, no one 
will ever know de zact condition of dem vestments ceptin Simon 
Carter, and mebbe his next of kin Nathe. 

Lanty. Tabbs, do you know anything to justify your suspi- 
cions.'* 

Tabbs. Yes, Massa, I knows considerable more than this indi- 
vidual's gwine to tell, until de indigencies of de case requiahs de 
facs. 

Harry. Nonsense, Tabbs. You need not put on such an air 
of wisdom with your eloquence, nor speak in such a mysterious 
way. You have nothing but your own suspicions, and those on- 
ly because you do not like the Carters. 

Tabbs. Nothing but spicions eh.? I see de maligencies of de 
case requiahs a plain enclosure of de facs. 

Betsey. You mean the exigencies of the case require a dis- 
closure of the facts. 

Tabbs. I said exidigencies. But we will not argy dat point. 
Here am de facs. Did'ent I hear Massa Nathe and his Uucle 
Simon talking busy about Massa Linton's business.'* 

Nathan. (Aside.) The black rascal ! 

Tabbs. An when I see dey was so desput in arnest, I stop- 
ped on the stairs to listen, if it was sort of mean, an I heerd two 
mighty mean men layin plans. 

Nathan. {Aside.) Your black pate will suffer for this. 

Alice. Well go on Tabbs. We are tired waiting. 

Tabbs. Massa Nathe says to squire, says he, "You know Uncle 
them papers are taken care of, now how's we gwine to fix up 
matters.?" An Squire Carter says, "We'll jes put in plenty of claims 
an try to get a morgidge on de farm for the present. Afterwards 
we can tighten de screws jes as we please if dat gal don't come to 
a favorable elusion." 

Lanty. The villians! 

Harry. Can this be true.? 

Tabbs. True as preachin. 

Betsey. Neither of them is too good for such villiany in my 
opinion. 

Alice. Friends judge not too harshly. I cannot hear my 
adopted brother and my guardian thus spoken of. Let us drop 
the subject. Where can Nathan be to night.? It is time he was 
home, if he went to the village. 

Harry. Lanty, that reminds me it is time we were at home too. 

Alice. No, I did'ent mean that. Don't be in a hurry. 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 9 

Harry. Really we must go. It is getting late. Good night. 
Lanty. Good night. {Exeiini L.) 

Be/^ev \ (.^^^'^9 ^^ door.) Good night. Call again. 
Tabb's. Good night. {Exit R.) 

Betsey. I must see to the kitchen for the night. {Exit R.) 
Alice. And I'll go up stairs to mother. {Exit R.) 
Nathan. Yes, and I'll go too. A precious fool I've been, ly- 
ing there an hour or so in that dark hole. Aha! -They know 
our plans, do they.^ All through that black rascal Tabbs. But, 
his influence does'ent amount to a straw. Alice, herself don't be- 
lieve him. No, she trusts me still. So much the better. Tabbs 
is easily disposed of, and then we shall see who wins, Harry List 
or I. {Exit R.) Curtain. 

ACT II. 

Scene, Mrs. Linton's Parlor. Time next day, after Act I. 
Table C. Mrs. Linton seated R. of table. 

Mrs. L. Oh, this continual trouble! Since my husband's 
death, there has been nothing but worry over his affairs. Claim 
follows claim, until I fear nothing will be left. {Knocking heard.) 
Who is that.? {Goes to the door., L.) 

Efiter Tabbs, showing in Simon Carter. , 

Squire, How are you, Mrs. Linton. I hope you are well. 

Mrs. L. Good day, Mr. Carter. I'm quite well thank you. 
Take a seat. 

Squire. {Takes chair, \^.) Fine day for the soldiers to say 
good bye. There is a terrible bluster down among the cabins on 
the creek. Women and children are crying. The men are half- 
crying too. Should'ent think they would care a great deal, as 
they don't leave much behind. 

Mrs. L. They leave their wives and children behind, and 
nothing should be dearer to men than these. Those who have 
experienced such partings, best know how bitter they are. 

Squire. Very true. It is natural to feel such things. We are 
all human when it comes to that. 

Tabbs. {Aside.) De Squiah am speakin from observation. 
Dat las remark don't come under de spear of his personal sper- 
ience. 

Mrs. L. This cruel war will bring sorrow to many hearts that 
have never known a care. How can men deliberately and inten- 
tionally wrong their fellow men.? Is there no better way than 
bloodshed to settle differences of opinion .? 

Squire. Differences of opinion may be honest, yet irreconcila- 
ble. So the sword must decide. But' I've come down to-day on a 
little matter of business. I want to see what can be done toward 
settling up my accounts with your husband's estate. You know 



10 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY, ^ 

I have made out my claims entirely from my books, including 
those old notes. 

Tabbs. {Aside.) Plaguey old notes. Made about las week. 

Mrs. L. Yes, I know yo'u were preparing a statement, and I'll 
be obliged to trust to the accuracy of your accouifts, since my 
husband's private papers have so unaccountably disappeared. 

Squire. Very mysteriously indeed. I lave you no clue to their 
whereabouts. 

Mrs. L. .None. I have given up the search as hopeless. 

Squire, And I too. I think there is little probability of your 
ever seeing them again. 

Tabbs. (Aside.) Dat am mos entirely likely (Aloud.) Dey're 
gone sure. 

Mrs. L. Tabbs, you may go. 

Squire. Why, are you here Tabbs? Go at once. We have 
private business that must not be heard by everyone. 

Tabbs. (Aside, going.) Not de fust business he did'ent want 
every one to hear. (Exit R.) 

Squire. Well, as I was saying, I have those matters in good 
shape at last, and am now ready to settle at once. 

Mrs. L. If there is a balance in your favor, I fear that I should 
not be ready to settle immediately. 

Squire. There is quite a balance in my favor. 

Mrs. L. Heaven protect us! We shall be homeless yet. 

Squire. I am very sorry Madam, to be obliged to break this 
unpleas£tnt news to you. But I am not able to lose the money, 
and, though administrator of the estate, I must present nriy 
claims with the other creditors. 

Mrs. L. You do but your duty in claiming your own. I will 
pay you every cent, if my child and myself are left penniless. 

Squire, It will not be so bad as that. 

Mrs. L. What does the estate owe you.'' 

Squire. A small amount comparatively; only some seven 
thousand dollars. 

Mrs. L. A very large amount considering our other debts. 
Then my husband was deeply involved.? 

Squire. He was. He lost heavily in oil speculations. The 
bulk of my claim is for money loaned at that time. Without 
my help he would probably have been bankrupt then. 

Mrs. L. What settlement can we make without sacrificing 
everything .? 

Squire. Oh, take your time. Give me a mortgage on the real 
estate, and pay it off at your leisure. 

Mrs. L. Mortgage the homestead ! T'is the last resort, but 
better than 1o sell it to strangers. I will give you the mortgage, 
and trust to Providence for the means of paying it off. 

Squire. All right. I'll not be hard at all. Now since we have 
settled up that business satisfactorily, there's another little affair 
I'd like to mention. 

Mrs. L. What is that.? 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 11 

Squire. You know my nephew, Nathan, is very fond of Alice. 

Mrs. L. It would be very strange if he were not, for their 
relations have always been those of brother and sister. 

Squire. Pshaw! There is no brotherly love about it. It is 
all the real thing. Why should'ent he marry the girl.? He will 
some day have all my property, and will be well to do in the 
watrld. As for his bringing up, you know what that is. I think 
they would make a splendid match. 

Mrs. L. To be properly mated, young people oiust love each 
other, and I doubt if Alice entertains any other feeling for Nathan 
than that of a sister's love. 

Squire. There is great deal of moonshine about the loves of 
young people. When I wanted to marry Matilda Williams, I 
just went and asked her father about it, and he said yes. The 
girl said something about not loving me as well as she shou'd 
love a husband. I told her love would come in time, and her 
father said the same. We were married, and we always got along 
without any trouble. If I do say it myself, I never knew a 
quieter, more obedient wife. 

Mrs. L. I don't doubt her obedience., Mr. Carter, not in the 
least, but I do doubt the propriety of such marriages, especially be- 
tween very young persons. Alice is too young to think of marry- 
ing yet. When she is of proper age, she shall choose for herself. 
I shall not attempt to dictate to her upon the subject of marriage. 
A mother's advice is all I have to ofi'er, and if I were offering any- 
one advice now, it would be for Nathan to give up all hope of 
ever winning Alice, for I am sure her heart is already another's. 
I have intimated as much to Nathan several times. 

Squire. You mean Harry List, I suppose.? And can you con- 
sent for one of your family's most bitter enemies, to marry your 
only child.? Do you not fear the old feud will be renewed in all 
its bitterness.? Can a house divided against itself, stand.? 

Mrs. L. That feud was a senseless, causeless quarrel, which I 
hope will be forever consigned to oblivion by its youngest repre- 
sentatives. 

Squire. Mrs. Linton, I am astonished to hear you speak so. 
You hope this for the furtherance of a love match between those 
representatives, eh.? 

Mrs. L. Mr. Carter, I beg you will not misunderstand me in 
a way which reflects so decidedly upon my candor, and implies 
an intrigue upon my part. Of all things, I depise hypocrisy 
and intrigue. {Rises indignantly)) 

Squire. {Rises, aside.) Hang it, I must not be too fast yet. 
{Aloud.) I beg pardon, Mrs. Linton. I did'ent mean to re- 
flect; never thought of such a thing. But you can see that the 
conseqences of such a union might prove disastrous. Could you 
not influence Alice to regard Nathan more favorably.? Your in- 
fluence with her is very great. 

Mrs. L. I know it is, but I will never use it to compel her to 
marry a man she does hot love. 



12 ODDS WITH THE ENBMY. 

Squire. That is your decision then ? 

Mrs. L. It is. 

Squire. Very well. I like people to decide such things in a 
plain outspoken way. No half-way underhand work for me. I 
can respect such decisions as that. {Going.) Good morning, Mrs. 
Linton. 

Mrs. L. Good day, Mr. Carter. {Exit R.) 

Squire {Passing 'out L., as Mrs. L. passes out R.) Deuce 
take it, may be when she has no roof over her head, Nathe 
Carter's would be better than none for her and her high-toned 
daughter. {Met at door by Nathan, tvfio enters.) 

Nathan. Well Uncle, what success.' 

Squire. {Re-entering.) Curse it, no success at all. That girl 
don't care a straw for you. But I did succeed too. The mortgage 
is all right and that will bring both mother and daughter to 
terms, or my name is'ent Simon Carter. 

Nathan. ' Uncle, it looks pretty hard to defraud helpless wom- 
en in that way. I would like to have the girl and her property 
if they could be had honorably, but I almost wish we had never 
begun to work by unfair means. 

Squire. Bah!" Don't turn coward and indulge in conscien- 
tious scruples now, when it is too late. 

Nathan. You may well say conscientiotis scruples, for what we 
have begun is certainly wrong in the sight of Heaven. It would 
be base ingratitude in me, to betray those who have ever been 
my best friends. 

Squire. Nonsense, Nathan ! It will be all right when the 
property is yours and the girl your wife ; can't she enjoy it, and 
can't her mother share it too for that matter.!^ " Stratagem is fair 
in love and in war." It will all be in the family still, 

Nathan. I had'ent thought of it in that light before. May be 
all will be well in the end. I hope it will since we are into ihe ugly 
business. But did you know that Tabbs suspects us ; knows in 
fact that those notes are not genuine.^ 

Squire. The devil he does! How did he find that out.? 

Nathan. Overheard our conversation. He has already told 
Alice, but she does not believe him. 

Squire. He must be disposed of. 

Nathan . B ut h o w .? 

Squire. Trust me for that. I'll find some way. 

Nathan. Hush, Uncle! We must not remain here talking. 
We may be overheard again. 

Squire. You are right. I must go at once. (Exeunt L.) 
Curtain. 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 13 

ACT III. 

Scene, Mrs. Linton's parlor. Time a few days after Act II, 

Mrs. L. Enters R. 

Mrs, L. Simon Carter is rude in speech and manner, but I 
have never doubted his honesty, even though ugly rumors were 
afloat many years ago concerning him. Can Tabb's story be 
true? No, I have good reason to believe that my husband s af- 
fairs were involved. Tabbs must be mistaken. That mortgage 
places us in the power of Simon Carter. His language the other 
day seemed almost like a menace, but we must meet his claim, 
and that is the only way left us. 

Enter Alice R. 

Alice. Mother, hav« you heard the news? 

Mrs. L. No, Alice. What is it.? 

Alice. George Harley ran away from home last night. 

Mrs. L. Impossible. It can't be true! 

Alice. But it is true, Mother. Susan Harley has just been 
here and told Betsey all about it M». Harley started this morn- 
ing to the city, to see if he can hear anything of George, and 
Mrs. Harley has worried herself sick. She is abed now, and Dr. 
Berry has been called in. 

Mrs. L. Oh, the follies of hot-blooded youth! Could that 
misguided boy but realize the unspeakable anguish which his per- 
veisi'y has caused his parents, he would pause in horror at its 
consequences. But his ungovernable passions like a fierce si- 
moon, have consumed his better qualities, dried up the springs of 
filial love, and left his heart a barren waste, scorched by its own 
mad passions. Poor boy! Sometime he will repent his folly. 
Mrs. Harley' s grief brings back to me the sad remembrance of 
our own poor wanderer^ laid to rest in a strange land, your own 
lost brother Oscar. 

Alice. Dear mother, do not call him lost. I feel that he is yet 
alive, and will some day return to us despite his foolish vow. 

Mrs. L. Banish the thought. The evidence of his death and 
burial, is too strong to allow us to cherish such delusive hopes. 

Alice. Oh, mother, don't speak so. You know that I cherish 
the hope that he is yet alive, as dearer than all else. 

Enter Tabbs L. 

Tabbs. {Aside.) Ceptin Massa Harry. How dese women 
folks will be meanin about one thing when dey's talkin about an- 



14 ODDS WITH THE ENE>IY. 

other, and dat other not on de subjec at all. (Aloud.) Beg 
pardon for interruptin de felicities of dis occasion, but 

Alice. Tabbs, go away with your nonsense and ludicrous talk. 
Will you never learn to stop your highflown gibberish.? What 
are you here for.? Don't you know better than to intrude.? 
Our conversation is private. 

Tabbs. Private! Dat's what de cruitin officer wanted me to 
be. Dis chile prefers to be sensed from private life jes now. 

Alice. Tabbs, leave this room instantly. 

Mrs. L. Alice, Tabbs does not deserve rebuke. His genial 
good nature has often sent a ray of sunshine through this house, 
when all around was gloomy. His unskilled tongue speaks many 
a generous thought with a grotesque expression, but an honest 
purpose. 

Tabbs. Your pardon, Missa, but the gemman, Massa Harry, 
is done tired waitin. 

Mrs. L. Is Harry at the door.? Show him in at once, Tabbs. 

Tabbs retires L. re-enters bo-wing in Harry List. 

Harry. Good morning, Mrs. Linton. Good morning, Alice. 

Mrs. L. Good morning, Harry. We are glad to see you. 

Alice. Good morning, Harry. I'm so glad that you have come. 
I have been wanting ever so much to see you. We have been 
making arrangements for a dinner, for Capt. Wilson's Company, 
next Thursday, and we shall need you to help get things ready. 
Take a seat, Harry, till I tell you all about it. {Ml seated, 
Harry L., Mrs. L"". C, Alice R.) 

Harry. I have another engagement for that day, which will 
prevent me from assisting you in the preparations for the dinner. 
I suspect Capt. Wilson's Company will dine out that day. 

Alice. Pshaw ! An engagement which will prevent you from 
assisting at the dinner! The Company will dine out! Of course 
they will — in the open air. None of your jokes. Hairy. 

Harry. I'm not joking. I was never more in earnest in my 
life. 

Alice. What do you mean, Harry? 

Harry. I've enlisted. 

^J-\ Enlisted. 

Harry. Yes; I have enrolled my name in Capt. Wilson's 
Company. To-day I shall don a soldier's coat for better or 
worse, that is for three years or during the war. 

Alice. Oh Harry how I shall miss you ! We never can endure 
to lose you, perhaps forever. I shall go mad at the dreadful 
thought that you might be killed or crippled for life. Oh the 
cruel, cruel exactions of war! 

Mrs. L. Be calm my child, Harry is yet safe. We must trust 
to God to preserve him. Harry this is sudden. You have never 
told us anything about your intending to enlist. Have you your 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. , 16 

father's consent? Why have you resolved so suddenly to leave 
a comfortable home and brave the dangers of the battle field? 

Harry. This morning father asked me again to cease my 
visits here. I refused. He urged that I should not visit Avhere 
he was not free to go. I told him humbly and with sorrow that 
his objections were Ibunded upon prejudices which should have 
been forgotten long ago, and that I respected his wishes but could 
not admit his right to choose for me. In a violent passion he 
ordered me to obey him or leave his house and never more call 
myself his son. It was a hard choice but honor bade me stand 
by my convictions, and now I wish to say to you something which 
I had long hoped to say under more auspicious circumstances and 
with father's approval Mrs. Linton, I love Alice dearly and I 
think that she loves rne although no vows have ever passed our 
lips. I ask you to let her be my wife, if lam fortunate enough 
ever to return from the arm}- alive. I could not join my youth- 
ful comrades in the camp until I had unfolded to dear ones at 
home, my long cherished hope. As for Alice this boy's confes- 
sion brings no tidings new to her. Her answer I have guessed 
already. Alice have I guessed right? 

Alice. Yes, dear Harry, yes. 

Mrs. L. Harry, you are both young. Alice is too young to think 
of plighting her faith to anyone for years. And then our future 
is so uncertain. Her father's affairs are yet unsettled, we may 
have plenty; we may be left in want. The old feud between 
your kindred and Alice's can you ever forget? 

Harry. Mrs. Linton, I have not forgotten that deep seated 
enmity. I remember it as a thing which should be forever banished 
out of sight. Its unhallowed dregs are too bitter for oblivion. 
It is that alas! which brings me here to-day to speak my love. A 
boy's love it may be, yes a child's love you may call it, for it sprang 
up and reached maturity amid the happy scenes of our childliood 
daj's. But the man's reflective moods can not forget the boy's 
sweet preference. 

Mrs. L. Have you considered the consequences of this estrange- 
ment from your father: They may affect your future welfare and 
they deserve more than a passing thought. Is it wise to bring 
into such close relations those whom years of enmity may 
sunder? 

^ Harry. It were better than to blight two lives with grudges in 
which they had no part. 

Mrs. L. True my brave boy, but there is plenty of time. When 
you return from the battlefield crowned with honors as I know 
you must, if God spares you, Alice shall decide. 

Harry. God bless you Mrs. Linton, If the foeman spares me 
I shall return to claim Alice as my bride. 

Alice. Oh Harry you will return safe. It would break my 
heart to hear that you were killed. Oh the miseries of war! 
Why did you enlist, Harry? 

Harry. No ties are sacred enough to bind the treeman when 



16 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

his country calls. But time presses. The company starts at three. 

Alice. Must you go to-day Harry? 

Harry. Yes, and this minute. 

Alice. Oh, don't go yet. 

Harry. I must. Good bye, Mrs. Linton. (Shake hands.) 

Mrs. L. Good bye, Harry ; brave patriot, that you are. May 
vou have God's blessing; you have mine. 

Harry. Good bye, dear Alice. Should I fall, remember I 
liuveonly done my duty. I will write. For my sake do not de- 
spair. {Kisses hey. She clings to him.) Have courage. Trust in 
God and your country's cause. Farewell. 

Alice. Farewell, dear Harry. God be with you. {Harry 
presses her hand in silence. Exit.) What will become of us? 
it is dreadful to think that the innocent milst shed their blood in 
the quarrels of wicked men. What grievances have we to fight 
for? Why don't they send their own sons? 

Mrs. L. Every one owes a sacred duty to his country. You 
should not complain. Our grief is but a mite in the great woe 
around us. Others are bearing even heavier burdens. 

Alice. I know that, but the griefs of others does not lessen mine 

Mrs. L. It does not, but it should teach us not to consider our 
sorrows alone, while those around us are borne down by sorrows 
as great as ours. Cheer up my child. {Aside.) Her grief pre- 
fers communion with itself. {Exit R.) 

Alice. (Passionately.) He is gone, gone. .Must every one I 
love be torn from me. First my Brother Oscar when I was but 
a child, and now dear Harry is hurried oif, perhaps to fill a 
soldier's grave. The very thought is dreadful. ( Weeps.) Yet 
why should I cherish my grief, when Harry must bear his in 
silence among strangers? For his sake I will try to cheer up 
and hope lor the best. Somebody's coming. (Nathan appears 
at door R.) 

Nathan. I wished to speak a few words with you. {Aside.) 
She turns away. She has been weeping. What can be the matter? 

Alice. 1 will listen to you however painful the subject may be 
to both of us. 

Nathan. Dear Alice you remember I desired you to reconsider 
the question whicii I asked you the other day. I hope reflection 
lias softened your heart towards one who loves you as his own 
life. If you wish more time take it. I will wait. ^ 

Alice. I have not hardened mv heart, towards you Nathan 
God knows you .ire dear to me. But T will speak plainly. I love 
another. 

Nathan. Could you not love me? Is there no hope? 

Alice. I love you with a sister's holiest love and you cannot 
know how it pains me to answer you thus, knowing as I do what 
misery that answer will cost you. Nathan for your own sake 
and mine, never mention this subject to me again for we never 
can be aught to each other but brother and sister. {Exit R.) 

Nathan. I am decided. Fair means will not win. Fate makes 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 17 

me a villain. (Uoeii R.) 

Enter Betsey R. meeting Nathan. 

Betsey. Mr. Nathan looks decidedly blue to day. I know what's 
the matter though. He has been declaring his love for Miss 
Alice again and "has got another refusal for his pains. What 
stupid idiots some men are ! They can't take a hint. Some of 
them will hanker around and ask half a dozen tifnes if a woman 
refuses them. Others will keep coming and coming but never 
have courage enough to ask a plain question. I have no patience 
with either sort and Lanty Nixon is one ot the latter. Why 
don't he speak his mind.? Goodness knows he has chances 
enough! If he does'ent soon make his intentions known I'll just 
bestow a little attention somewhere else. Lanty is jealous of 
that crack-brained fop who calls himself J. McClure Ilopkinson. 
Well he is too nice for this world. I don't care though. {Knocking 
heard.) Who's there.? {Goes to door L.) Come in Lanty. 

Lanty. Good afternoon Betsey. I have called in to tell Mrs. 
Linton I left the groceries at the kitchen door. 

Betsey. Very well, I will call Mrs. Linton. 

Lanty. No, its unnecessary, Miss Bluff. I'll tell you what I 
brought. {Approaches closely.) There was ten pounds 

Betsey. You need not get so close, Lanty. I'm not hard of 
hearing. 

Lanty. No, but you see I am responsible for these groceries, 
and I'm going to see that they are all properly inventoried by 
some one connected with the establishment. 

Betsey. What do you mean, Lanty Nixon, by calling this 
house an establishment. 

Lanty. Well, what shall I call it.? It seems to me you are 
getting a little particular about your language. Call it an insti- 
tution then, or a chebang. 

Betsey. Chebang indeed! Lanty Nixon, where do you pick 
up all your slang.? 

Lanty. See here Betsey, I'm in a hurry ; so if you please we 
will 140 on with that inventory. There was ten pounds of coffee, 
one codfish (not one of the aristocracy either), and fifteen pounds 
of ^gar as sweet as {Kisses her.) 

Betsey. {Slaps him.) Lanty, you're a fool. 

Lanty . May be I am. Betsey, but I'm sure of one thing, 

Betsey. What is that.? 

La,nty. I know a good article when I've sampled it. 

Betsey. Get out, you good for nothing! 

Lanty. Betsey, listen a minute. I wish to ask you a question. 

Betsey. Oh, do you. {Aside.) He is going to pop the ques- 
tion at last. {Aloud.) Go on, Lanty, I am ready to listen. 

Lanty. Why did you devote yourself to that addle-pated 
Hopkinson, the other night at Jones's party.? 

Betsey. Is that any difference to you.? Can't I entertain who- 



18 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

ever I please without asking you? 

Lanty. I suppose you can, if you choose to slight your friends. 

Betsey. Slight my friends! Humph! Must I sit and entertain 
you allnight? You don't seem to appreciate it any too well. 

Lanty. You know well enough what that Hopkinson is. 

Betsey. What is he? 

Lanty. He is nothing but a sniffling, stuck up counter hopper. 

Betsey. Yes, he is a counter hopper, but he does not handle 
cheese and codfish, and greasy bacon. Lanty, it is so nice to go 
a shopping there, and have him display his goods. How charm- 
ingly he handles the yard stick. 

Lanty. I'd like to break his head with it. 

Enter Tabes L. 

Tabhs. Could'ent do it Massa Lanty, for did'ent Miss Alice 
read in de Filosomy, dat a hollow tube am stronger than a solid 
one. Miss Betsey, here am a card from a gemman below. 

Betsey. (Reads.) "J McClure Hopkinson." Show him in, 
Tabbs. ^ {Arranges furniture, etc) 

Enter Tabbs followed by J. Mc. 

J. Mc. Ah! Good aftehnoon, Miss Bluff. How aw you? I 
hope 3'Ou are well. 

Betsey. 1 am quite well, thank you. How are you? 

J. Mc. Very well indeed. Good aftehnoon, Mistah Nixon. 

Lanty. G^'od day, Mr. Hopkinson. 

Betsey. Take seats, gentlemen. (J. Mc. takes a seat.) 

J. Mc. Ah! Yes, thank you; hawdly have time though. 

{Seated]. Mc. R. C, Betsey R., Lanty L. C, Tabbs stands L.) 

Tabbs. {Aside.) Golly, he am a stunner, sure. 

J. Mc. I thought I would call, ah. I did not knoAv but you 
might want to walk down to the depot, to see the soldiah boys 
off this aftehnoon. As I passed here, I thought I would stop. 
Perhaps we might go togetheh. 

Betsey. Nothing would please me better than to accompany 
you. 

J. Mc. Ah indeed! Thank you, aw you ready? 

Betsey. I shall be ready in a moment. Excuse me. {Exit R.) 

J. Mc. Certainly ; certainly. 

Tabbs. {Aside to La.nty) Massa Lanty your cake am dough for 
this evening anyway. 

J. Mc. Do you think of enlisting Mistah Nixon? 

La.nty. {Fiercely.) No I do not. 

J. Mc. Beg pahdon, I diden*t know but you would. Most 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 19 

young men desiah to rush to arms but for my part I prefer to stay 
at home. 

Tahbs. And rush into arms. Sometimes it am mighty sweet 
to rush into arms at home. Dis individual is wilHn to serve his 
country dat way too. 

Lardy. Patriots of that stripe are as plenty as bad excuses and 
just as useful. A great many stay at home because they are unwil- 
ling to defend the country which protects them. 

J. Mc. Oh ! ah ! Did I understand — [Indignantly^ both rise, 
enter Betsey.) Ah! are you ready Miss Bluft? 

Betsey. I am ready. Good afternoon Mr. Nixon. You will excuse 
my abrupt departure. It is time to go and I presume you wish to 
see the boys start too. Mrs. Linton and Alice will entertain you 
in the meantime. Good afternoon. 

Lanty. Good afternoon Miss Bluff. I'm obliged to you for your 
kindness but I shant need any entertaining this afternoon. 

J. Mc. Good aftehnoon Mistah Nixon. {Exeu7%t L.) 

Tahhs. If de enemy' d get him dey would put him in de imagi- 
nary wid de baboons sure. 

Lanty. Confound the impudent puppy. What a fool I've 
been! Blind as a bat! 

Tahhs. Massa Lanty, excuse dis individual in correctin one 
little mistake of yours. 

Lanty. What is that.^ 

Tahhs. Massa Nixon I'se gwine to state plain facs and you 
must'nt get riled either. 

Lanty. Well, go on, hang it. 

Tahhs. Stead of Massa Hopkinson's beein a puppy it was 
massa Nixon. Why.^ Case Massa Nixon's eyes was'ent opened 
at fust. 

Lanty. Shut up you black rascal. (Kicks him as he escapes R.) 

Enter Mrs. L, and Alice. 

Mrs. L. *Why Lanty! what are you doing? 

Lanty. Nothing; we were only joking. 

Tahhs. (Re-enters.) What would he do if he was in arnest.? 
I'd jes like to know. 

Alice. Tabbs is always joking and your inclination to levity 
is little less than his. Lanty, we never know when you are in 
earnest. 

Lanty. You hit the mark that time Alice. Excessive levity 
is my failing. But to-day I cast aside that wretched garb of non- 
sense and am determined on a manly resolution. 

Alice. What is that Lanty.? 

Lanty. I shall enlist to-morrow. 

Mrs. L. Why you said this morning you were not going to 
the army. 

Lanty. I have changed my mind. 

Alice. How sudden this is! Is everybody going to the war? 



£0 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

What made you change your mind so soon Laiity ? If \ on must 
go I am glad you are going with Harry. Betsey will be a sympa- 
thizing companion in my grief. Why do you look so grave? 
Any thing wrong between you and Betsey.'' 

Tabhs. Reckon Miss Betsey's grief wont 

Lanty. Tabbs I wish you to understand I can manage my 
affairs without your assistance. 

Tabbs. Yes massa. 

Laniy. I guess there is nothing wrong. I've changed my 
mind; that's all. I can't go with Harry though for I am not ready 
to start this afternoon. 

Alice. Why ! haven't you heard that our boys have orders to 
remain until to-morrow.'* 

Lanty. Good luck! Then I will go with Harry. 

Mrs. L. Where is Betsey.? Did she not tell you of the delay.? 

Lanty. She knew nothing of it herself. 

Alice. I was hoping Harry would come home this evening 
but I suppose he could not get leave of absence. 

Enter Harry followed by Squire, Nathan, Tabbs L. 

Harry. But he did though. 

Alice. Oh it's Harry (Rushes into his arms.) 

Squire. Zounds! what does this mean.? {Alice starts a7id 
screams.) Mrs. Linton do you approve of your daughter's rushing 
into the arms of a young man in this way.? It you do I as her 
guardian must express my unqualified disapproval of such un- 
womanly conduct. I came expecting to see that young upstart 
urging his preposterous claims but I confess I was not prepai*ed 
for this scene. • 

Lanty. (Aside.) A Spy. 

Harry. Squire Carter, do you dare to insinuate that Miss 
Linton would be guilty of an unwomanly act.? 

Squire. Who are you boy who thus presumes to question me in 
regard to what I shall say to my ward.? You bear the uniform 
of a soldier of your country but you have yet to learn the respect 
due your superiors. I'm thinking that will be the first lesson 
you will get. 

Harry. If you choose to use insulting language in the presence 
of ladies I shall dare to question your right to do so, even at the 
risk of being considered a fit subject for receiving lessons on 
politeness. 

Tabbs. (Aside.) Massa Carter needs a few lessons in dc 
a-b-c's of dat branch. 

Lanty. (Aside.) I'd like to be his teacher. (Aloud.) Squire 
Carter, if you came here as a spy why did'entyou listen ;it the door 
where you could hear all that was said without the restraint of 
your presence.? That would be more in keeping with your mission. 

Nathan. (Aside.) Can he suspect me.? 

Squire. Boy, I know my place and my business. Who presumes 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 21 

to tell me here what I shall or shall not say? 

Alice. Mr. Carter I am sorry if I have offended you. 

Harry. Mr. Carter your language reflects not only on Mrs, 
Linton and Alice but on the entire company. For my part 1 
scorn your insinuations as unvvorth}' of — i— 

MvK. L. Harrv, please keep cool. 

Squire. As unworthy of a gentleman. I understand. You 
cooly insult me do you?- 

Harry. My language is plain; you can interpret for yourself, 

Lanty. Mr. Carter you first offered an insult I think, and can 
not complain if )'ou are paid in your own coin. 

Mrs. L. Gentlemen please do not forget Adhere you are. I am 
surprised at this unseemly wrangle. 

Squire. What is unseeml\? Mrs. Linton do you call me to 
account for plain advice because it was too plain? Remember I 
have the power to exact satisfaction for these injuries. You well 
know my power over this house and you ought to know that 
Simon Carter can resent an insult. Mr. List you will find that 
my influence is not confined to this neighborhood. I have friends 
in the 13th regiment who will be only too glad to favor me by 
granting any little requests I may make. 

Lanty. Tools for work which vou would'ent stoop to do your- 
self. 

Tahbs. (Aside.) Plaguey low work Squire Carter would have 
to stoop to, hi, yi. 

Squire. And so you feel at liberty, Mr. Nixon, to interfere 
here with your meddling impertinence. Your impudence is un- 
endurable, though you are excusable for imitating the example 
of your superiors. But by Heaven, I'll have satisfaction for all 
this. 

Nathan. Confound it Uncle, can't you stop? What's the use 
of all this row? Has your honor been assailed? 

Tahhs. {Aside.) Dat would be sailin an illusion. 

Squire. I have been insulted; grossly injured. 

Alice. Mr. Carter, it was all my fault, please forgive Harry, 
and I'll bear all the blame. 

Harry. I don't think I shall suffer much without forgiveness. 

Mrs. L. Remember, Mr. Carter, that youth is rash and apt to 
be hasty. 

Lanty. And that old folks are sometimes more than hasty. 

Squire. More than hasty ! What do you mean? 

Mrs. L. Mr. Carter, do not be unreasonable because the boys 
may happen to be inconsiderate. Let us drop this subject. 

Squired We will not waste words. I am unreasonable, am I? 
So be it. I am a match for all of you, when it comes to the test 
of power. 

Tahhs. {Aside.) A lucifer match 1 spect. 

Squire. Mrs. Linton, when you find yourself without a roof to 
shelter you; when you are deserted, friendless, and penniless; 
perhaps you will remember that the 'Carters wished to be your 



22 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

friends, and that you spurned their proffered kindness to ace pt 
from others, a delusive friendship which could only prove a 
curse. Adieu. (Exit L.) 

ARRANGEMENT OF CHARACTERS. 

C. 

Mrs. L., Alice, 

R. Lanty, Tabbs. Harry, Nathax L. 

SLOW CURTAIN. 



ACT IV. 

Three years have elapsed between Act III and IV. Scene, — Mrs. 
L. seated by a table sewing. Room poorly furnished. Evidences 
of great poverty. 

Knocking. Mrs. L. opens door L. Squire Carter appears. 

Mrs. L. Simon Carter! 

Squire. Good morning, Mrs. Linton. I hope you are well. 

Mrs. L. You hope I am well ! You who have blighted for- 
ever the hopes of a once happy household. Dare you speak the 
word hope.'* 

Squire. Mrs. Linton, I have not come here to call up the bit- 
ter things of the past. Let us forget the past. 

Mrs. L. You taunt me with my wrongs when you speak of the 
past. 

Squire. I am not here to speak of what might have been but 
of what may yet be. 

Mrs. L. What can you have to say to me.? Why do you pre- 
sume to enter this house.'* Poor as it is it has never been con- 
taminated by the presence of such as Simon Carter. 

Squire. Stay Mrs. Linton. We have been enemies but let 
enmity listen to reason, may you not have judged too severely? 
Your lot has truly been a hard one, but who is to blame.'* Your 
late husband's property passed to his creditors of whom I was the 
principal one. Your homestead became mine under a mortgage 
which you gave willingly and of which you admitted the justice. 
You and your daughter have hardened your hearts against me 
and my nephew Nathan, him who once was called your son. It 
is for him I have come to speak. Whatever slights I may have 
endured are satisfied. Yes I may say forgotten. He has always 
been your friend. He would again be your son and more than a 
brother to Alice. Will you accept a reconciliation.? 

Mrs. L. And is this your mission.? Our interview is ended. 

Squire Then you prefer poverty to comfort.? 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 23 

Mrs. L. Ay, a thousand times better poverty, than one penny 
of your hated wealth or this degrading alHance. {Ttcrns aivay,) 

Squire. (Aside.) Unyielding as adamant. We must have the 
girl though or our title is unsafe and the boys luay come home 
any day. But I've another plan or two. (Aloud.) Mrs. Linton. 
I have been talking to day with Mr. List about this house, you 
know it is so close to my property that it really detracts from the 
value of my residence quite materially. I believe j<?2^ thought it 
an eye-sore when you occupied the Linton Mansion. If we must 
be enemies, more than a stone's throw should separate us. 

Mrs. L. And you wish Mr. List to turn us out of the house 
and pull it down do you.-* 

Squire. I have only to say the word. 

Mrs. L. Then say it. You are strong and I am weak, but in the 
sense of duty done, and in the approval of a conscience at peace 
with its possessor, there is a. bulwark of safety which your guilty 
soul has never known Simon Carter. 

Squire. I never knew a conscience which could shelter its 
possessor from wind or rain. You know Mr. List.'' 

Mrs. L. Yes.^ I do know Mr. List as the livelong enemy of 
our family, yet I believe for all that, he is a man too honorable to 
stoop to such a crime for crime it would be. 

Squire. We will see about that. In the meantime consider 
the propo.sition I have made. Nathan will talk the matter over 
with Alice. Good day, Mrs. Linton. (Exit L.) 

Mrs. L. Have our persecutions begun anew! Why is Simon 
Carter so anxious that Nathan should marry Alice.? They have 
our property. What more can they want.'* I fear they have some 
other horrible scheme to put into execution. 

Enter Betsey R. 

Betsey is it not time for Alice to return from school } 

Betsey. Yes, and I saw her coming down the road with Nathan 
Carter. 

Alice. {Entering followed by Nathan.) Never never will I 
be your wife and I never want to see your face again. 

Nathan. Ah! good morning mother. Good morning, Miss 
Betsey. 

Mrs. L. Nathan Carter, you will please not call me mother. 
Once I was moved with joy to hear a sweet good morning mother 
from one who I fondly hoped would fill the place of my own lost 
son. But the bitter wrongs which we have suffered at the 
hands of you and yours, forbid that we should ever be aught to 
each other again but 

Nathan. Enemies. Let me say a word in self-defence. 

Mrs. L. Cruel injustice has been done and no defence can 
change a wrong to right. 

Nathan. No, very true. You may have had wrongs and you 
will admit that we also had rights. 



24 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

Mrs. L. Strange rights that will turn helpless women from 
their homes destitute: 

Nathan. Strange yet strict justice. Mrs. Linton, have we 
claimed more than our own.? Was not your husband's property 
justly forfeited to his creditors.? Did we not agree for a penny? 

Betsey. For the last penny. 

Mrs. L. I do not complain of the payment but only of the 
manner of payment. Why was our homestead ruthlessly sold 
at such a sacrifice as ruined us.? Why were we not given a little 
time until friends could have aided us.? 

Nathan. The mortgage v/as due and you failed to raise the money 
to release it. Uncle was pressed for means. What else could he do.? 
Who were the friends you speak of .? But those things are done 
and can not be undone. Let us remember only the 'happy days 
when I was one of you. Perhaps the future more generous than 
the past can make some reparation. 

Mrs.. L. Say no more, I know of what you would speak. 
You can make no reparation. 

Nathan. I can place you in the enjoyment of plenty, if Alice 
will only be my wife. 

Mrs. L, Your wife indeed ! Can you ask a woman to become 
the wife of one who has deprived her of her inheritance, and 
sent her into the world degraded and neglected.? We are poor 
but we will never redeem our own with the price of honor. 

Natha?i. Wherein is the dishonor if she weds one who has 
long loved her ardently and devotedly.? 

Mrs. L. And whom she despises from the very depths of her 
heart. Nathan Carter if this is your only mission here vou will 
oblige us by taking your leave at once. 

Nathan. {To Alice.) Is this your answer then.? 

Alice. You have heard your answer. If there is one spark of 
manhood in your perfidious bosom leave this house at once and 
never desecrate it again with your hateful presence. 

Nathan. {Aside.) Baffled again, when sure of success. But 
I'll win yet. {Aloud to Alice.) So you stubbornly persist in 
your foolish course. Then if want resumes her sway to humble 
your proud notions of love and honor, you cannot lay the blame 
upon me. Heaven is my witness that I have tried to help you. 
Mrs. Linton, Alice secured her situation as teacher in the village 
school through my influence. That favor has not been appreci- 
ated and I can bestow it in more grateful hands. Must you be 
compelled to listen to reason.? 

Alice. Your boasted help you gave for a selfish purpose. I 
despise the motive and the man. When we hear anything reason- 
able doubtless we will listen to reason. 

Nathan. Reasonable or unreasonable you will soon hear from 
us again. Adieu ladies until we meet again. {Exit L.') 

Mrs. L. Until we meet again ! When will our pursuers rest 
satisfied with their dark deeds! 

Betsey. Their race will be run sometime. « It is a long lane 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 25 

that has no turning." I don't see any turning for us yet, unless 
it is where it turns to the poor house. But talking will do no good. 
I must see about the supper. {Exit R.) 

Mrs. L. Ever ready for the call of duty. Betsey with all her 
faults is a noble woman. She has been true to us in prosperity 
and more than a friend in adversity. Her presence is a daily re- 
minder that generosity and fidelity yet linger on earth, 

Alice. Mother why does Nathan Carter persist in annoying me 
with his unmanly attentions.'' Is the man a lunatic? I hate the 
very name of Carter. 

Mrs. L. My darling child, the Carters have some new purpose 
to work out. What it may be time aione will tell. Simon Carter 
was here this afternoon and asked ine as he did once years ago, 
to use my influence with you in favor of Nathan. Like the 
nephew he made fair promises. When I spurned with indigna- 
tion his base proposal, he threatened us with further perse- 
cutions. 

Alice. Simon Carter was here too! Then Nathan did not 
meet me by chance this afternoon as he falsely pretended. 

Mrs. L. No he placed himself in your way and persisted in 
following you here contraryi to your wishes as a part of their 
plot. I cannot even guess their purpose. Our future is ominous. 
May Heaven protect us for we* know that Siinon Carter is a dan- 
gerous man when determined upon evil. 

Alice. All we can do is to wait and work. Mother, we can not 
neglect the duties of the present to speculate about the future. 
Unremitting toil stares us constantly in the face. The labors of 
to-day are not yet finished and call me to my task. {Exit R.) 

Mrs. L. Oh this bitter pinching poverty! How I used to 
wonder that people could ever become so helplessly, hopelessly 
poor. God knows 1 realize it now as I never could when I was 
the petted child of a rich and indulgent father or the idolized 
wife of a noble generous husband whose means afforded him the 
opportunity to indulge my slightest wish. Truly our reverses 
have been swift and remorseless. Only four short years ago we 
were in a beautiful home surrounded by every comfort and now 
we drain the very dregs of poverty's bitter cup, friendless and 
penniless. 

Enter Betsey R. 

Betsey. Mrs. Linton, George Harley has just come home from 
the army, and Capt. Wilson has been up at the Squire's and Pet- 
tus Pettifog, the Squire's Lawyer, 

Mrs. L. Harry and Lanty will soon be home too, I suppose, 
as the war is over. Perhaps George brings some news of them, 

Betsey. None! Susan says he has never seen either of them, 
nor heard from them since he left home, 

Mrs. L. Alas! Others' sons may return, but mine is gone 
never to return. Even he whom I hoped to call my son, by his 
silence is dead to us. Betsey, can we not hope that Lanty may 



26 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

be to us again what he once was? I cannot believe that every 
one has deserted us. 

Betsey. Whatever Lanty may be to us, if he should return, I 
do not deserve that he should fill the place he once filled. T 
drove him to enlist by an inconsiderate flirtation, and proudly 
refuted an explanation until he left me, believing I preferred 
another. 

Mrs, L. Is that the only reason of his silence.'' 

Betsey. I know of no other reason. 

Mrs. L. Did you say that Capt. Wilson was at Squire Car- 
ters.^ He could tell us something of Harry and Lanty. 

Betsey. Yes, if he chose. But in my opinion you would get 
precious little information out of him. You remember that 
Squire Carter said his influence might be felt even in the army. 

Mrs. L. I remember that. 

Betsey. Capt. Wilson is that influence. He is the cat's-paw 
of Simon Carter. They are up to something now, or that com- 
pound of meaness and deceit, Pettus Pettifog, would not be there. 
Somebody will have to pay for that visit. Susan says, that 
Jim Black, Squire's hired man, overheard Mr. Pettifog say, 
" Deuced ugly business if that nigger should turn up." Of course 
that nigger is Tabbs. I always believed that Tabbs' story about 
the forgeries of Simon Carter was true. I am more than ever 
convinced of its truth since the chief witness against Tabbs has 
said that he believed Tabbs never stole the coat w hich he was 
accused of taking. i 

Mrs. L. Tabbs' story may be true. True or false, it matters 
little to us now. But would Squire Carter dare to banish a citi- 
zen on account of a personal grudge.'' 

Betsey, Dare! These are times when men dare do anything 
without fear of punishment. Squire Carter knew that there 
would be plenty to back him in that. Think of poor Tabbs or- 
dered by a mob to leave the country after a mock trial, and glad 
to get away alive too. All because Squire Carter was afraid he 
might tell the truth in regard to some things which he preferred 
to remain secret. Everybody knows Tabbs was not guilty of 
theft. But what avails innocence against villainy which has 
the power to carry out its infamous schemes. 

Mrs. L. Suppose Tabbs should venture to return, which is 
not at all probable, I don't see how he could aid us or hurt Simon 
Carter in the least. 

Betsey. I don't see either, but lawyers don't say such things 
without some reason. 

Mrs. L. Did Susan hear anything further from Jim about the 
conversation.'' 

Betsey. No : only that they were talking about letters, and as 
he passed the window he saw on the table some papers which 
they seemed to be talking about. Susan was m such a hurry to 
get' home that she did not wait to tell me the particulars if she 
knew anything more. 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 27 

Knocking heard L. A boy delivers a letter to Betsey, vjho goes to 
the door. 

A letter for Miss Alice. Calls Alice, who enters R. Alice 
here is a letter a boy has just brought tor you. 

> Alice. Why -who can have written to me: can it be from Har- 
ry.? Takes letter. No, it has no post mark, and the word 
"present." 

Tears it open, reads aloud. 

LiNTONViLLE, April 20, 1865, 
Miss Alice Linton : 

For some time past the Directors of this district have con- 
sidered the advisability of employing some one else to teach our 
school. We are satisfied that a change is now necessary. Your 
successor will take charge of the School next Monday. Very 
truly, yours, 

Simon Carter, Clerk of Board. 

Alice, The last blow has fallen ! 

Mrs. L. No, not the last. They will turn us out of the house 
next. 

Alice. We are indeed at their mercy, defenceless women with 
no protectors. Oh! when will Harry and Lanty return.? What 
can be the cause of their long silence.? 

Mrs. L. My child, cease your vain regrets. Harry has evi- 
dently forgotten us; then why should we remember him.? His 
coming would bring no joy to our hearts. 

Alice. She speaks truly. It must be so, but the thought is a 
death knell to my last vain hope. How could one, the very type 
of honor, act so basely without even a word of explanation. I 
can't believe it. I'll not believe it. I ifjill hope on till he tells me 
from his own lips, that he wishes to be released. 

Mrs. L. Your hope is delusive. We are indeed forsaken by 
all who could render assistance in an hour of need. 

Alice. Not by all. Heaven watches over the distressed, and 
will some day avenge the wrongs of the innocent. 

Betsey. Well, we have our hands and the wide world to make 
a living in, if that's any consolation. Help will come from some 
quarter. "The darkest hour is just before the dawning." 

Curtain. 

ACT V. 

One month has elapsed between Acts IV. and V. 

Scene, Table C. seated Mrs. L. R. Alice R. Betsey L. Knock- 
ing L. Betsey goes to door. Enter Phcebe. 

Betsey. Come in Phoebe. We are glad to see you. 
Phcebe. Good morning Mrs. Linton, good morning Miss 
Alice. 



28 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

Ahce^^ \ ^°°^ morning Phcebe. (S/ia^e hands.) 

Mrs. L. Take a seat, Phrcbe. We seldom see you now. 
Have you too forgotten old friends and the days when you found 
a place at our hearth? 

Phoebe. No, I have not forgotten you Mrs. Linton. The 
thought of you and your trials has cost in«j many a sleepless 
night, many a bitter tear of regret. Mrs. l.inton I never shall 
forget your kindness to me. Oh! that I had been more worthy 
of it. 

Mrs L. Why do you speak ofunworthiness, Phoebe.^ I always 
found you faithful in all things. 

Phoebe. We all have our faults, and I have mine. I have not 
always been what 1 seemed to be. 

Betsey. You were always my ideal ot perfection in your 
sphere, Phoebe. 

Phcebe. Our most cherished idols are often crushed in the dust. 

Alice Along with the heart whose inspiration clothed thein 
with life and beauty. But what has been crushing your idols to 
dust Phoebe.? 

Phcebe. You could only hate me if I told you. 

Enter Squire Carter L. ( His knocking not noticed.) 

Squire. Only hate you if you told! Girl, have you been blab- 
bing.'' Have you.'* If you have you will pay dearly for it. Go 
home. You know you are not allowed to visit here. 

Mrs. L. It is you Simon Carter who are forbidden to come 
here. 

Squire. By whom.? 

Mrs. L. By the usages of society and the dictates of self-res- 
pect which forbid a genletman'' s entering where he knows his 
presence is disagreeable. After the wrongs you have inflicted on 
me how dare you enter my house. Leave it at once. Your pres- 
ence is as loathsome as the foulest reptile. 

Squire. Save yourself the trouble of racking your brains for 
further hard words. It is not pleasant for me to" be obliged to 
enter your house. I am here only to bring home a disolaedient 
servant. 

Betsey. And hear what she would say to us. But Ave know 
enough -about you already to consign you to a felon's cell. 

Sqtiire. Know what! What did you say.? Girl have you be- 
trayed me.? Have you.? Come with me at once. {Seizes her., 
she screams for help) 

Betsey. Coward, do you dare to lay hands on a woman.? 

Phoebe. Save me, save me. I never will go with him again. 
He will kill me. 

Squire. Come on {Drags her forward) yo^xt longne VfWWeaxn 
by-and-by to stop its wagging, or I'm mistaken. 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. ^ 29 

Enter], Mc. L. 

y. Mc. Well realh' ah! Do vou want any help Mistah 
Carter? Is she crazy ah? 

Squire. Help ! Crazy ! No you lunatic. . I can manage her 
myself. She has just run away from her work. That's all. 

Betsey. Save her, Mr. Ilopkinson, from the hands of Squire 
Carter. She has dared to assert her right to do as she pleases 
and he threatens revenge. 

Mrs. L. Mr. Hopkinson, protect us from Simon Carter, for 
he fears that we may learn the secrets of his villainy. Phabe is 
no longer safe in his hands. 

J. Mc. I am astonished ah ! Squiah Carter a villian ! 
Squiah this is a free country. May be you had better keep your 
hands off this young lady. 

Squire. Mr. Hopkinson, I'm slandered, basely slandered. J 
hope you will not interfere since I am merely claiming my just 
rights. 

Betsey. Rights! What right have you to say where any one 
shall go in this free land? Mr. Hopkinson, please protect us and 
I will be forever grateful. 

y. Mc. Well it is really a pleasure to hear you say so. I Avill 
strve you most willingly. I beg pardon Miss Bluff, but I believe 
the last time we met you preferred to have some one else as a 
protector. 

Betsey. (Aside.) Because he would act the dunce. (Aloud.) 
I was just joking then and did not mean to slight you Mr. Hop- 
kinson. You know we shall always be good friends. 

y. Mc. Only friends! Is that all? I would rather we were 
enemies than such friends. 

Squire. Deuce take your palaver. Phoebe, come with me. 
(Advances towards Jier.) 

y. Mc. I really can't allow you to take this young lady with 
my consent. 

Squire. I shant ask your consent, nor anybody else's. (Ad- 
vances.) 

y. Mc. Look here Squiah. It is exceedingly unpleasant for 
me to be obliged to hurt your feelings ah, but I shall have to do 
so unless you modify your demands a little. The factisyou don't 
take this girl until she is willing to go. 

Squire. Mr. Hopkinson, it seems to me you are unreasonable. 
But we have always been on good terms and I don't wish to quar- 
rel with a friend about a trifle. I will just wait here until the girl 
is ready to go. 

Mrs. L. Mr. Carter, Phccbe shall remain here till she has 
finished her visit and wishes to go. You can remahi tou, of course, 
if you insist on it. But I hope you wiil excuse Alice and myself 
from entertaining you. Phoebe, come to the kitchen and we will 
have a chat. (Exeunt Mrs. L. Alice and Phcebk R.) 

Squire. (Aside.) Well I suppose I'll have to go without her. 



so ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

I'll keep a close watch on this house though. {Exit L.) 
y. Mc. Squiah Carter seems determined to have his own way 
in this village, to run things in fact. 

Betsey. Yes and he is not very particular about the means he 
employs to run them either. He has succeeded in getting posses- 
sion of ail Mrs. Linton's property, and now he dares to come here 
to this poor place to exercise his authority. 

y. Mc. This is a poor place. Miss Bluff, I should think you 
would get tired of staying here. There can't be much induce- 
ment for remaining ah. 

Betsey. No not much. {Aside.) And very little for leaving. 
y. Mc. Miss Bluff, you aw sacrificing yourself by toiling here 
this way. You aw actually givinjor Mrs. Linton your services, 
pon my veracity you aw. 

Betsey. Mr Hopkinson I am not sacrificing myself by serving 
those who befriended me when / needed assistance. I am not 
giving- Mrs. Linton my services. I orve it all to her. 

y. Mc. Ah! Debt of gratitude. But really Miss Bluff, would 
yoa not like ah to take charge of a house of your own.? 

Betsey. No I believe not. I think it would be trouble enough 
to help take charge of one. 

y. Mc. Oh! I meant to help. Of course you could not do it 
all. Miss Bluff, will you be my bwide. I ofteh you my hand and 
heart. I admiah you so much. 

Betsey Admire me do you! Just as you do a new necktie or 
the latest style of coat, I suppose. When I marry a man I want 
one who loves me. 

y. Mc. Really Miss Bluff I love you. You know I meant 
that at first. Will that be suflacient.? 

Betsey. Mr. Hopkinson, I don't love you. I cannot even admire 
you. I can respect you and that is all. 

y. Mc. Is that all.? Well that is not as bad as it might be. 
Could'ent we get along with respect.? Some married folks do not 
have even that. 

Betsey. Mr. Hopkinson I don't think I shall ever marry. My- 
mind is made up. Such a union as you speak of would lead to a 
life of misery. 

y. Mc. Could'ent you change your mind Miss Bluff.? 
Betsey. Not without some reasons, and I don't see any reasons 
just now. 

y. Mc. If your mind is made up I shant insist Well I sup- 
pose a girl is not to blame if she dontlike a fellah. {Aside.) Pon 
honoh I believe some other fellah is to blame. {Aloud.) Miss 
Bluff I presume you aw verj^ busy to day, so I will bid you good 
aftehnoon. 

Betsey. Good day Mr. Hopkinson. {Exit.]. Mc. L.) Plague 
take the dunce; he might have guessed how matters stood. May 
be I am a bigger dunce than he is after all. I sent Lanty Nixon 
away in fun and he left in earnest. Now Hopkinson is gone. 
I guess I'm too particular, "wit, money, and manners," dont 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 31 

often go together. What's the odds now! It's decided anyway. 
Etiter Mrs. L., Phcebe, Alice, R. 

Mrs. L. For " better or worse" ? 

Betsey. No. 

Mrs. L, Are you acting wisely, Betsey.' Offers do not come 
every day. 

Betsey. Wisely or unwisely, I'd rather die an old maid than be 
tied to that booby for life. 

Alice. You may change your mind in a few more years. 
PhcEbe, I think I have guessed the cause of your despondency. 
Are you thinking of " What might have been".^ 

Phoebe. I am thinking of what might have been if I had not 
fallen, miserably fallen. 

Mrs. L. Phoebe, you surprise me. What is the matter.^ What 
have you done.'* 

Phcebe. I have wronged 3^ou so deeply that no repentance can 
atone for the crime. Your suspicions in regard to your property 
are correct. The Carters' claims were based on forgery and 
falsehood. Mr. Linton never owed them a dollar. You have 
been basely defrauded and I have been the means of enabling 
them to execute their criminal purposes. 

Mrs. L. Oh Phoebe! have you done this.= And we have 
known you so long and trusted you. It is terrible. What have 
you done to aid them.? 

Phoebe. I have been their accomplice. I took the missing 
papers, and Simon Carter forced them from me by threats of 
imprisonment. I deserve reproach. I deserve to suffer for my 
unpardonable guilt. Oh that I could atone for my crime by 
some act of reparation in your behalf! I would walk through 
fire to serve you. I'll be a slave no longer, and when the proper 
time comes, you may trust in me. Then Simon Carter will find 
to his sorrow that a despised servant can wield a power which he 
dreams not of. 

Mrs. L. Deluded girl, you are mad! What can ^•ou do to 
prevent Simon Carter's unholy works.? It is too late now. 

Phoebe. Too late! Alas I fear it is. {Musingly.) Why have 
I not tried to do something sooner.? Miserable coward that I 
am! It is not too late to die in the attempt. They are both 
away to day and now is an opportunity which may not come soon 
again. I'll tryti. 

Mrs.L What do you mean Phoebe.? {Exit Phcebe hastily L.) 

Alice. I believe the girl is crazy. 

Mrs. L. It is the lunacy of despair. Her story is too probable 
to admit of any doubt. And what a tale of villainy it is. For 
gery and falsehoodX What I took for a lack. of mercy in selling 
our property, proves to be a lack of honesty. And the man whom 
Mr. Linton trusted so implicitly is capable of robbing his benefac- 
tor's wife and child! Horrible thought! I was warned in time 
but would not heed the warning. Now it is forever too late! 



32 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

Betsey. I always despised the whole set anyway, for I believed 
thev were not trustworthy. Now {Knocking ■which is unnoticed^ 
Enter Simon Carter unnoticed?) the evidence is complete and 
Simon Carter is a consummate villain. 

Squire. Villain eh } Who dares say villain? Have a care how 
you blacken my character. I thought you knew me Mrs. Linton.? 

Mrs. L. I thought so too Simon Carter, but I find I was mis- 
taken, for each day adds something to my knowledge of you nd 
your lawless transactions. 

Squire. There is one thing you have not learned yet, and that 
is the extent of iny power. Tempt me no further. 

Mrs. L. (JV it h scorn.) Temj>t you no further indeed! As if 
you had not already yielded yourselt fully to the wiles of the 
tempter. You have accomplished your fiendish work of robbery 
and cruel persecution. You have done your work only too well. 
Years ago people called you a villain. My husband and I disbe- 
lieved them because we thought you a persecuted man. You 
took advantage of his generosity to cheat him shamefully. Not 
content with your ill-gotten booty, you set yourself to rob his 
helpless family. You who was legally their protector. To accom- 
plish your dark deeds you alienated our friends and strove to 
blacken our fair name. You stole the patrimony which you were 
sworn to protect. Ay stole it ! Well might you blush with shame 
i{ your hardened cheek were not stranger to a blush. 

Squire. Mrs. Linton, you have said some hard things. You 
may yet repent these hasty words. You may be called upon to 
prove your assertions. 

Mrs. L. Repent my words? Never! No words can portray 
the depths of your infamy! Dare you ask for proofs.? They 
shall be produced. Simon Carter, [ know at last from an eye- 
witness, the secret of your cunning plot. Where are my hus- 
band's lost papers which you so hyp£)critically pretended to be 
searching for.? Who has seen them since you forced them from 
the trembling hands of a timid servant whom you threatened to 
imprison if she did not give them up.? Dare you answer that.? 

Squire. Mrs Linton this is all very fine but it is mere asser- 
tion. I suppose that trembling servant is Phoebe Day, who has 
been filling your ears with slander when she should have been 
at home at work. I see through it all. It's conspiracy. That's 
easily settled. 

Mrs. L. Base wretch begone! You have succeeded in your 
unhallowed schemes but you can not subdue a will determined to 
oppose you to the last. You may crush, but you can not conquer. 
There is a limit to all oppression'^and to all forbearance. 

Squire. Who will believe a tattling servant and such as you.? 

Mrs. I.. Oh bitter lot! Wronged, persecuted, and insulted 
because of my wrongs! Has it indeed come to this.? No lower 
depth can be reached. Traitor I defy you. Begone! Wreak 
vengance if you choose. You can no longer wound. 

Squire. 1 shall not leave until you allow Phcebe to go with 
me. But there is no hurry. If sKe stays, I stay. 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 33 

Mrs. L. Until Phoebe goes! She has already gone. 

Betsey. She has learned her lesson of cringing obedience well. 
I'd just like to see the man who could rule me that way. 

Sqtcire. Mrs. Linton, where is that girl? I believe you are 
plotting mischief and have her concealed somewhere. 

Alice. We have told you she went some time ago. Is not 
that sufficient.'' 

Mrs. L. I know nothing more than you do of her wherabouts 
and as for plotting mischief, what alas! can we do or plot now.'' 

Enter Phcebe, L Excitedly. 

Squire. Can I believe my eyes.? Will you come here again.? 
What are you up to.? Phoebe, you must go with me at once and 
no words" about it (Advances to seize her.) 

Enter Nathan hastily^ L. 

Nathan. Flee from this house, uncle. The soldiers are home 
and Harry and Lanty are on the way here now. Tabbs is with 
them and has told them all. Flee at once for you are not safe 
here. 

Squire. Humph ! Is that all. 

Mrs. L. At last thank God. 

Alice. Where are they.? 

Betsey. When did they come.? 

Nathan. Uncle be quick. They are almost here. 

Squire. Silence coward! You are unworthy the name of 
Carter. 

Nathan. Well I can't be responsible for your safety. 

Squire. Pooh ! They dare not lay hands on me. I have the 
law on my side and they have not a line to prove Tabbs' story. 
Let them come. 

Enter Harry, Lanty, Tabbs, L. • 

Harry. Very likely you will let them come. Alice ! 

Alice. Harry! {They embrace and kiss.) * 

Tabbs. We's jes in force a comin like de bugs on de cowcum- 
ber wines. 

Mrs. L. God bless you Harry, back again safe and Tabbs 
faithful old servant. {Shake hands.) 

Betsey. {Rushes into Lanty's arms.) Why Lanty ! The same 
old Lanty Nixon. 

Lanty. Yes the same Lanty and not very old yet, and I infer 
from your demonstrations that you are still Betsey Bluff. 

Betsey. Yes. 

Enter L. Oscar Linton, introduced by Harry. 
Harry. Mrs. Linton, Colonel Oscar Linton, 



34 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

Mrs. L. Oscar Linton! Oh God! my long lost son. {Rushes 
into his arms.) 

Oscar. Yes a prodigal son who fled from the best of mothers. 
May Heaven forgive him. Alice, the little pet of my boyhood. 
{They embrace.) 

Alice. Oscar ! Dear brother Oscar ! I always thought you would 
return to us. 

Tabbs. Wish dis individual could jump into somebody's arms 
for two or three moments. But den de filosomer says man often 
hugs a collusion. Golly I kind o'think all huggin am a collusion 
anyway. 

Oscar. And Betsey Bluff too, whom I have often led through 
the deep snow drifts, on our way to school. {Shake hands.) 

Nathan. Brother Oscar, will you not recognize me.'' 

Oscar. Do not call me brother. You never were my brother 
and now I loathe your proffered friendship. 

Squire. Loathe us then, son of a haughty race. We can en- 
dure your scorn. Nathan let us go. Girl, {Turning to PnoeBE.) 
will you go.'' 

Phoebe. Never! 

Oscar. What! Phoebe our old servant! {Shake ha?ids.) 

Phoebe. Yes, master Oscar, I am Phoebe. Heaven be praised 
that you are spared to come back again to shield the helpless. 

Squire. Be careful what you say girl. You have learned your 
place, I think. {Exeunt Squire and Nathan L.) 

Mrs. L. My darling boy, this is a joy unspeakable. But wh\ 
have you never written in all these years.'* Seven long years 
have passed since the report of your death. Why have you been 
silent when a word would have changed a mother's grief into 

m. 

Oscar. I have not been silent. I suppose you heard of the 
fatal accident in the mine, when my comrade Jerry White was 
killed and several others fatally injured. But I wrote the particu- 
lars to prevent anxiety at home, for I knew you would hear of 
the Etcident through Jerry's friends. How they ever got me 
among the killed is more than I can tell, unless it was because I 
left immediately after for other diggings. I could not bear to 
stay where poor Jerry met his sad fate. 

Mrs. L. Your letter never came. Why did you not write 
again .'' 

Oscar. I received no answer and my proud spirit construed 
silence as an intentional slight. I left for California at bitter en- 
mity with my father because I imagined he cared more for Nathan 
than for me. We quarrelled and I vowed I would never return 
until the family needed my services. It was a rash and wicked 
vow which has resulted in nothing but sorrow to the dear ones at 
home. I say dear ones, for I loved ypu all at heart and have re- 
pented a thousand times of my folly. 

Alice. Tell us how you happen to come back with Harry and 
Lanty, in an officer's uniform. 



ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. ' 35 

Oscar. That is soon told. When the war broke out I enlisted 
as second Heutenant, and have been promoted step by step to a 
colonelcy. I learned by accideat a few months 'since that 
there was a Capt. List in a regiment encamped near us. 
Alice. A Capt. List! But I asked about Harry. 
Lanty. Well, Capt. Harrv List then. 
Alice. What! You a Captain, Harry.? 

Tahbs. Dat am a lac. Dis war am a gwine to hatch out a 
a drefful sight of capens and ginerals. Dis individual will be a 
gineral too if he was'ent in de wah. He'll not be Tabbs anymore. 
Jest call him if you please Adjutant Sutler. 

La?ity. I thought you were only assistant barber where we 
found you, Tabbs. 

Tabbs. See heah massa Nixon, when a gemman has done got 
up in the world I think it is mighty small business to cast up to 
him the misfortunate occurrences of his poorer days. 

Mrs. L. Tabbs, you have not got up very high in the world 
when you return to us. We have reached the bottom of the 
scale. 

Tahbs. Massa Oscar will make that scale tilt pretty lively tother 
way some of these days, I tell you. 

Harry. Things have changed since we left, and we never heard 
of your distress. Why did'nt you write to us.? We could have 
helped you, 

Alice. I concluded you would write to us when you wished to 
hear from us. 
Harry. I did write repeatedly. And you never got my letters.? 
Alice. None after you left for the seat of war. 
Harry. I wrote several. Receiving no reply I feared that my 
letters were lost in the mails, and wrote at different times until I 
was forced to conclude that for some reason you wished to con- 
sider our engagement broken. 
Alice. How strange, that all our letters were lost. 
Oscar. That may not be very strange after all. Who was your 
first Capt., Harry .? 

Harry. Capt. Wilson. 

Oscar. And Capt. Wilson was the instrument of Simon Car- 
ter's machinations. Probably the Capt. could give you some in- 
formation concerning those letters. 

Harry. I see it all now. Squire Carter's remark about his 
influence, the day I enlisted, is clear as daylight now. 

Oscar. A remark dropped by a brother officer of mine, who 
was acquainted with the Capt. leads me at once to conclude that 
your letters never left his tent when delivered there. The Capt. 
is said to have quit the service under suspicious circumstances to 
avoid a court-martial, owing to various irregularities. 

Harry. How stupid I was not to think of that at the time. 
Well I shant hunt up Capt. Wilson for information just yet, 
especially since I have more important enquiries to make. Mrs. 
Linton I have come back from the army safe, as you predicted I 



86 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

should. May I not ask now for the fulfilment of that promise 
which you made three years ago, that Alice should be mine.'' 

Mrs. L. Yes, if Alice has not changed her mind. 

Harry. I thhik I know what her answer is. Am I right 
Alice? 

Alice. Yes dear Harry. Through all these years I have loved 
and hoped on in silence. 

Oscar. In silence through the criminal knavery of designing 
men, who deserve to suffer severely for their crimes, so long un- 
punished. 

Mrs. L. By the mercy of Hedven the worst part of their black 
plot has miscarried, and with loved ones around me again I feel 
that half the sting of poverty is removed. To see you all once 
more, strong and happy, is something I never dared to hope. 

Harry. Lanty it strikes me you are rather still to night. Are 
you thinking about your next turn at picket duty, or about your 
rations of hard tack and bacon.'' 

Tabbs. Hard tack ! Dat am de reason of massa Lanty's sol- 
emn aspec, dat hard attack he had de day fore he enlisted. Dat 
enemy am still in de field. {Looks at Betsy.) 

Betsey. Tabbs I see you still talk in riddles as you used to do. 
But tell me all about your military career Mr. Nixon. I should 
like to hear it. I know you would always acquit yourself like a 
soldier. I'd be ashamed of you if you had not. 

Lanty. Would you indeed.'' I am happy to hear that you 
thmk I would not do anything unworthy of a soldier. 

Tabbs. (Aside.) Massa Lanty am about to fight his battles 
over again if de enemy don't surrender. 

Mrs. L. Lanty, I knew you would be a true soldier, for you were 
always a gentleman. 

Betsey. And the gentleman is the true soldier. 

Lanty. {Aside.) Now or never. {Aloud.) Miss Bluff, I think 
it is about time this thing was understood. 

Betsey, That what thing was understood, Mr. Nixon.? 

Lanty. Betsey, you know what I mean. I want — Miss Bluff 
it is about time — ahem, ahem, I think — 

Betsey. Well go on. How do I know what you think. 

Lanty. It is about time for you to choose between me and that 
Hopkmson. 

Betsey. You haven't asked me to choose yet. 

Lanty. Betsey, I've loved you for years. Will you be content 
to settle down with me for life.? Don't say no. 

Betsey. I'm not going to say no; you could have had an an- 
swer long ago if you had only had the courage to ask for it. 

Tabbs. Three cheers for Massa Lanty. He has met de ene- 
my and in de langwige of de philosomer, de victory am his. 
Massa Nixon don't you feel considerable better than when we met 
Massa Hopkinson goin down de larte as we came up.? 

Lanty. No more of your nonsense Tabbs. 

Harry. Allow me to congratulate you, Lanty, on your success 



ODDS WITH THE) ENEMY! 37 

anM you Betsey on vour choice. The events of the last few min- 
utes would have driven aw^ay many a fit of your blues while in 
camp, Lanty. 

Lanty. I doubt that Harry. It seems to me your blues were 
about as indigo-tinted as mine. Suppose I had asked before 1 
went to the war. 

TabJfs. Reckon you'd mos likely never gone at all. 

Lanty. That is possible too Tabbs. Suppose I had known my 
fate, it would only have made the going harder, and then I might 
have had to endure the painful reflection that Betsey was false, 
if any letters had been missing. 

Betsey. And I that you were false rather than bashful. Of 
the two evils I prefer the latter, especially as Mr. Hopkinons did 
not go to the war. 

Lanty. See here Betsey we shall have a quarrel at once, if you 
allude to that donkey again. 

Tabbs. Mustn't quarrel yet. Plenty of time for discussin fam- 
ily pivileges and judificatin differences of opinion after de honey- 
moon am set. When a family settles down to business such 
things have a reglar place in de orders ob de day as massa used 
to say about de proceedins of de legislater. 

Alice. That is often true Tabbs, though I hope the disposition 
will be wanting in this instance. 

Phoebe. *' A word to the wise is sufficient," Betsey. 

Betsey. Very true Phoebe, hniyou must not be so despondent 
amid this general rejoicing. 

Tabbs. Speck de cause am Miss Phoebe's soger has'nt come 
back from the wah yet. 

Phcebe. No Tabbs. I am expecting no soldier. I have great- 
er reason than that for despondency. 

Alice. Why Phoebe! You have not told us yet all you knew 
about Squire Carter's defrauding us. 

Phcebe. Will you protect me from the Carters if I tell. 

Oscar. ) 

Harry. V That we will. Speak on. 

Lanty. ) 

Phoebe. You all remember that Mr. Linton's private papers 
mysteriously disappeared after his death. 

Oscar. Yes, I remember that you spoke of them, Harry. 

Phcebe. I can tell you where those papers are. 

Mrs. L. Indeed! Can you.? Too true, alas ! 

O&car. Where are the papers, Phoebe.? Tell us all the partic- 
ulars. Were thej-^ stolen.? 

Phoebe. In the changes which took place soon after Mr. Lin- 
ton's death, his desk and papers were removed upstairs, while 
some work was going on below. I took all the papers and books 
from the desk to clean it. Looking over the different packagse 
as I took them out I noticed one marked '* valuable" — '' notes, 
contracts, &c." I foolishly feared that particular bunch might be 
mislaid and placed it by itself upstairs on a shelf among some 



S8 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

old books. Those books were carried off bj^ Tabbs and thr6wn 
carelessly in the garret. When I looked for the papers, I was 
frightened to find they had disappeared. I could not find them 
in the garret so I kept the mater to myself instead of telling you 
as I should have done. When I learned the value of the miss- 
ing papers at the time you were searching for them, an evil 
thought came into my head to keep them if I ever found them. 
Some time after I found them but told no one, for I had an idea 
I could make money out of them. 

Mrs. L. And you sold them to Squire Carter. If you wanted 
money, why did you not come to me.? I would gladly have 
given you money. 

Phcebe, Judge not too harshly. I was not so wicked as I had 
planned. Nathan Carter had noticed that I was frequently hunt- 
ing for something, and the Lord only knows what put it into his 
head to ask me if I did not know something about the missing 
papers. My guilt betrayed me and I confessed all. Nathan said 
the papers belonged to his uncle Simon as administrator of the 
estate. He urged me to give him the papers for his uncle, but I 
refused, for I never thought of giving them to any one who might 
use them to injure your interests in anyway. He said no more 
about them then and left me. 

Mrs. L. Why did you not bring them at once to me if you 
mistrusted the Carters,? 

Phoebe. You were away from home that day. Besides I was 
ashamed to confess my crime and the Carters gave me little time 
to reflect, for that afternoon Squire Carter came over in hot haste 
and demanded the papers as his. He threatened imprisonment 
and prosecution if I refused. I was so frightened that I gave 
them to him on condition he would not tell any one what I had 
done. 

Betsey. Precious little danger of his telling anybody. 

Phoebe. Afterwards he compelled me by threats to go and work 
for him because he feared your influence. Since then he has 
kept me like a slave, constantly in fear of his threats. 

Oscar. Where are the papers now, Phoebe .? 

Squire Carter rtishes in followed by Nathan, L. 

Squire. I forbid her to speak. {Steps forward threateningly.) 

Oscar. {Steps forward.) Go on Phoebe, you are in no danger. 

Phoebe. Simon Carter I am your slave no longer. I will no 
longer remain silent Avhen silence would cover up crime. Here 
are the papers. {Hands them to Oscar.) They prove Squire 
Carter's black and infamous crimes. Take them, and may 
Heaven forgive me for my part in the dark business. 

Mrs. L. Heaven can forgive all in this act of repentance, and 
so may we. 

Oscar. The more because it makes reparation. Well do I 
know that hand ! My father's private papers and a memorandum 



ODDS WITH TBE ENEMY. 39 

of his accounts with Simon Carter. PhoLbe, how did you regain 
possession of them ? 

Squire. Those documents are stolen from my private records. 
They are mine, and I will punish the thief with the law. {Steps 
forivard threateninglv.) 

Oscar. Stand back. Let the woman finish her story. 
Phoebe. Squire Carter keeps a strong iron box in his library. 
That box is always carefully locked, and 1 have thought for a 
long time that those papers were in it. One day he left the key 
to the box by accident upon the table. I took an impression of it 
and had another key made. I could no longer endure the rebuk- 
ing of my conscience at the misery I had caused. In his absence 
to-day I opened the box and found the papers, A great burden 
is lifted from my soul when I feel that even I may be forgiven. 

Squire. A cursed pretty blunder I've made. That is a bare- 
faced theft. I'll have those papers. Oscar Linton, you are an 
accessory to this theft; you will have to answer to that charge. 

Oscar. So she is a thief and I am no better. And who has 
made himself the chief culprit by reaping all the benefits of her 
crime.? Answ^er that. You are not yet done with this, Simon 
Carter. You shall suffer the heaviest penalties of the law. 

Nathan. Give back the property uncle. We are foiled. Those 
fatal papers are our ruin. 

Squire. Never! Never! They have the law, but I have the 
money. We'll see who wins. Besides I cant dispose of the pro- 
perty better than in defending it. Try the law. Ha! ha! {Exit I..) 
Tabhs. Squire Carter am pluck sure. 

Oscar. I too have some money and am not afraid to await the 
result. 

Alice. Can we recover our property } 

Oscar. Our case is clear. No court will refuse us justice. 
Nathan. Yes, your case is clear. My uncle Simon has com- 
mitted a great crime. But what is his sin compared with mine! 
I have turned against those who loved rne dearly. I have betrayed 
a loving mother and an affectionate sister. With the basest 
ingratitude I have brought to want, those who took me a poor 
ragged outcast and made of the wretched orphan, a respected and 
intelligent member of society. I have proved a viper in the bosom 
which cherished me. But as God is my judge, my crime began 
because of my love for her w^hom I hoped to make my honored 
bride. I loved her passionately and hoped to make atonement 
by restoring all in common ownership. I failed miserably and 
have wrecked my own brilliant hopes" of the future, and blasted 
the happiness of others. Life has nothing more for me but to 
drag out a despised existence. May God forgive me. I dare not 
ask forgiveness of those I have so cruelly wronged. {Exit L.) 

Alice. Poor Nathan! He has suffered enough already. lean 
forgive him. 

Mrs. L. Misguided wretched boy, he is to be pitied. 
Tabbs. {Aside.) Wonder if anybody will forgive dis chile for 
bein run away.? 



40 ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. 

Mrs. L. What bliss in this jojous reunion after the long dark 
past. 

Oscar. Mother, I have been a wayward son. I have deserted 
a happy home. I have brought sorrow to a kind mother and a 
loving sister. Can you forgive me.'' 

Mrs. L. Dear boy we have forgiven you a thousand times 
and now all is forgotten and again forgiven. 

Oscar. Mother, sister, loved ones all, my heart swells with a 
sacred joy, when it leels itself once more entwined by the blessed 
ties of home. 

Harry. Comrades of the camp and field, we have survived 
the hardships of the march, and the dangers of the battle-field. 
But when we think of our stirring experiences and hair-breadth 
escapes, vc\z.j we ever remember that, with silent heroism, faithful 
ones at home bravely battled for the right while the Odds were 
WITH THE Enemy. 



ARRANGEMENT OF CHARACTERS. 

c. 

Mrs L. Oscar. 

Harry. Alice. Betsey. Lanty. 

R, Phoebe, Tabbs. L. 

SLOW CURTAIN. 



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